Spring structure



Sept. 16, 1952 A. BAP'rlsTA SPRING STRUCTURE Filed July 19, 1948 1N VENTOR.

Patented Sept. 16, 1952 SPRING STRUCTURE Americo Baptista', Oakland,Calif., assignor to L. A. Young Spring & Wire Corporation, De-

troi't, Mich. A

Application July 19, 1948, Serial No. 39,498

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in spring structures.

yThe main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a box spring structure for beds, davenports, and thelike in which the upholstery is detachably secured to permit ready andsecure attachment and to permit removal for cleaning or renewal.

Second, to provide an upholstered spring Y structure having an iron baseframe, together with means for quickly and effectively attaching theupholstery thereto.

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which is verysimple and economical in its parts and the assembly thereof.

Further objects relating to details and economies of the invention willappear from the description to follow. The invention is pointed out in`the claims.

Preferred embodiments of theinvention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which: a

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a structure embodying the features of myinvention illustrating certain of the steps of assembling, a portion 0fthe upholstery covering being broken away to better show structuraldetails.

Fig. 2A is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view partially invertical section showing the parts in assembled relation.

, Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective viewillustrating thestructure in partially assembled condition.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom view illustrating theupholstery in fully secured position. l

In the accompanying drawing I have not attempted to` illustrate theparts in their relative proportions. While my invention is particularlywell adaptedfor box springs for beds, davenports, and the like, it maybe adaptedfor furniture upholstery, automobile seats, backs and thelike.

The'embodiment of my'invention illustrated in the drawing, comprises abase frame designated generally by the numeral I and comprises sidemembers 2 andA end members 3. 'Ihis frame is formed of angleirondisposed with the angles facing inwardly and upwardly thereby providingupwardly projecting \arms 4 and horizontally disposed arms 5. The crossbars 6 are formed of strips of metal of suitable gauge having laterallyturned ends 'I disposed on the inner sides of and secured to thevertical arms of opposed frame members as by means of spot welds 8.

It will be noted that the lower edges of these cross bars are spacedfrom the horizontal arms 5 ofthe frame members. Upholstery springs 9 aresecured by engaging their bottom coils I0 in notches II providedtherefor in the upper edges of the cross membersv and retaininglyclamping the same by means of the tie members I2, which are loopedaround the cross bars at I3. The ends ofthe tie members are securedat I4. This detail, however, forms no part of my present invention. 4

Upholstery padding I5 is conventionally shown in Fig. 1. The upholsterycovering I6 is provided with skirt portions I1 embracing the paddingmaterial and the springs and extending below the base frame. The skirtportions Il are provided with pockets I8 in their bottom edges. U-shapedsheet metal upholstery attaching members I9 are arranged in thesepockets, the pockets being substantially wider than the attachingmembers to provide slack which may be folded into the attaching membersaround the inner edges of the horizontal members of the frame as shownat 20. The bottom closure sheet'ZI is arranged on the underside of thebase 'p frame and preferably extends `upwardly between the skirt and thesides of the base frome,"asillustrated in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that generally while the upholstery is beingattached the structure is arrangedin an inverted-position. The bottomclosure sheet 2I is of such dimensions that edge portions 22 thereof maybe folded within the attaching members and around the edges of the baseframe, as is shown in Figs. 2, 2A and 3. With the parts as shown in Fig.2, the attaching members are swung inwardly into alignment with theedges of the base frame and pushed outwardly, which collapses or foldsportions of the pocket walls within the attaching members and snubbinglyclamps the same around the edges of the base frame, as shown in Fig. 2A.

The cross 5 members being elevated above or spaced from the horizontalarms of the base frame permit the material to fold within the base frameand into'clamping and snubbing engagement by the attaching members. Inthe structure illustrated, the corners 23 of the base frame are curvedand to secure the upholstery at the corners, one'opposed pair ofattaching members has curved ends 24. With this arrangement the partsare very securely held in assembled relation, the attaching means beingentirely concealed, that is, there'are no metal parts exposed.

The stress or pull on the upholstery is distributed throughout the fullcircumference thereof so that there is a minimumlikelihoodof injury andrupture or tear due to stress or pull at somerparticular point. Whilethe upholstery may be very quickly applied, it also can be quicklyreleased and replaced for cleaning or renewal. This also permits theupholstery being applied by an unskilled person. The dealer maycarryfdifferent colors and grades so that the customer may makeselections therefrom.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a practical embodimentthereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe otherembodiments or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed thatthis disclosure will enable those skilled` in the art to embody or adaptmy invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Lettersr Patent is:

l. In a spring structure the combination of a base frame comprising sideand end members of angle'v section disposedwith the arms of the anglesfacing'inwardly and upwardly, the corners of said frame` being curved,cross bars having their ends secured to the vertical arms of opposedframe members with their lower edges in spaced relation to thehorizontal arms of the frame members,l body springsmounted on said crossbars, upholstery disposed on said springs and: including a coveringhaving skirt portions with pockets in their bottomedges, elongatedupholstery attaching members of` lJ-section for clampily embracing thehorizontal arms of the base. frame disposed, in said pockets, thepockets being. of a width substantially exceeding the width ofthe.attaching members providing slack, saidgslack providing folds in thewalls of the pockets within the attaching members and around the inneredges of the horizontal arms ofthe base frame, andav bottom closuresheet having its edges underlapping the base frame, and' portionsthereof folding within said attaching members with said pocket walls,the attaching members being springable to cla-mpingly secure theupholstery skirt and the bottom sheet in snubbing engagement with theybase frame, an

Vopposed pair of said attaching members having curved ends for securingthe vupholstery and bottom sheet at the corners ofthe base frame.

2." In a spring structure. the, combination of a base'frame comprisingside and. end members of angle section disposed with the arms of theangles facing inwardly and upwardly, cross bars having their endssecured to the vertical arms of opposed frame members with their loweredges in spaced relation to the horizontal arms of the 'frame members,body springs mounted on said cross bars, upholstery disposed on saidsprings and including a covering having skirtportions with pockets intheir bottom edges, elongated upholstery attaching members of U-sectionfor clampinglyembracingV the horizontal arms of the base frame disposedin said pockets, the pockets being of a width substantially exceedingthe width. of the attaching members providing slack, said slackproviding folds in the Walls of the pockets within. the attachingmembers and around the inner edges of the horizontal arms of the base,frame, and a bottom closure sheet having its edges under-lapping thebase frame and portions thereof folding within said attaching memberswith said pocketl walls, the attaching members being springable toclampingly secure the; upholstery skirt and the bottom sheet in snubbingengagement with the base frame.

3'., Ina spring; structure the combination of a base frame comprisingside and end members of angle section disposed with the arms of theangles facing inwardly and upwardly, cross bars having their endssecured to the vertical arms of opposed frame members with their loweredges in spaced relation to the horizontal arms of the framev members,body springs mounted on said cross bars, upholstery disposed on saidsprings and including a covering having skirt portions with pockets intheir bottom edges, elongated upholstery attaching members of U-sectionfor clampingly embracing the horizontal arms of the base frame disposedin said pockets, the pockets being,` of a width substantially exceedingthe Width of the attaching members providing slack, said slack.providing folds in the Walls of the pockets within the attaching membersand around the inner edges of the horizontal arms of the base frame. l

Li.` In a spring structure the combination of a base frame comprisingside and end members having inwardlyprojecting arms, the cornersof saidframebeing curved, body springs supported by saidV base frame,upholstery disposed on said springs and including skirt portions havingpockets along their bottom edges, elongated upholstery attaching membersof U-section disposed in said pockets engaged over the inner edge andopposite sides of the inwardly projectingarms of the base frame, thepockets being closed for retainingly supporting kthe attaching membersagainst lateral displacement Ytherefrom prior to assembly thereof oversaid inwardly projecting arms, the pockets being widerthan the attachingmembers providingY slack, said slack providing folds in the walls ofthepocketswithin the attaching members and around the inner edges of theinwardly projecting arms ofthe base frame, and a bottom closure sheethaving portions thereof folded within said attaching members with saidpocket walls, theV attaching members being springable to clampinglyembrace between the opposite arms thereof the upholstery skirt and thebottom sheet to the inwardly projecting arms, an opposed pair of saidattaching members having curved ends for securing the upholstery andbottom sheet at the corner of the base frame.

5. In a spring structure the combination of a base frame comprising sideand end members having inwardly projecting arms,. body springs supportedby said base frame, upholstery disposed on said springs and includingskirt portions having pockets along their bottom'edges, elongatedupholstery attaching members of U-section disposed in said pocketsengaged over the inner edge and opposite sides of the inwardlyprojecting arms of thebase frame, the pockets being closed forretainingly supporting the attachingmembers against lateral displacementtherefrom prior to assembly thereof over said inwardly projecting arms,the` pockets being wider than the attaching members providing slack,said slack providing folds in the walls of the pocketsrwithin the.attaching members and around the inner edges of the inwardly projectingarms of the base fra-me, and a bottom closure sheet having portionsthereof-.foldedv Within said attaching members with said pocket walls,the attaching members being springable to clampingly embrace between theopposite arms thereof the upholstery skirt` and the bottomsheet to theinwardly projecting arms.

6. In a spring structure the combination of a base frame'comprising sideand end members having inwardly projecting arms, body springs supportedby said base frame, upholstery disposed on said springs and includingskirt portions having pockets along their bottom edges, elongatedupholstery attaching members of U-section disposed in said pocketsengaged over the inner edge and opposite sides of the inwardlyprojecting arms of the base frame, the pockets being closed forretainingly supporting the attaching members against lateraldisplacement therefrom prior to assembly thereof over said inwardlyprojecting armsthe pockets being wider than the attaching membersproviding slack, said slack providing folds in the walls of the pocketswithin the attaching members and around the inner edges cf the inwardlyprojecting arms of the base frame.

'7. In a spring structure the combination of a base frame comprisingside and end members having inwardly directed edges, body springssupported by said base frame, upholstery disposed on said springs andincluding a covering having skirt portions with pockets along theirbottom edges, elongated upholstery attaching members vof U-sectiondisposed in said pockets and embracing said inwardly directed edgeportions of the said base frame, the pockets being of awidthsubstantially exceeding the width of the attaching members providingslack, said slack providing folds in the walls of the pockets Within theattaching members and around the said edges of the base frame, and abottom sheet having portions thereof folded with said pocket wallswithin the attaching members, certain of said attaching members havingan offset end for securing the upholstery and bottom sheet at thecorners of the base frame.

8. In a spring structure the combination of a base frame comprising sideand end members having inwardly directed edge portions, body springssupported by said base frame, upholstery disposed on said springs andincluding a covering having skirt portions with pockets along theirbottom edges, elongated upholstery attaching members of U-sectiondisposed in said pockets and embracing the opposite sides of said edgeportions of said base frame, the pockets being of a Width substantiallyexceeding the width of the attaching members providing slack, said slackproviding folds in the walls of the pockets within the attaching membersand around the said edge portions of the basev frame, and a bottom sheethaving portions thereof folded with said pocket walls within theattaching members.

9. In 9, spring structure the combination of a base frame comprisingside and end members having inwardly directed edge portions, bodysprings supported by said base frame, upholstery disposed on saidsprings and including a covering having skirt portions with pocketsalong their 6 bottom edges, elongated upholstery attaching members ofU-section disposed in said pocket and embracing the opposite sides ofsaid edge portions of said base frame, the pockets being of a widthsubstantially exceeding the width of the attaching members providingslack, said slack providing folds in the walls of the pockets within theattaching members and around the said edge portions of the base frame,and certain of said attaching members having an offset end for securingthe upholstery and bottom sheet at the corners of the base frame. s

l0. In a spring structure the combination of a base frame comprisingside and end members having inwardly directed edge portions, bodysprings supported by said base frame, upholstery disposed on saidsprings and including a covering having skirt portions with pocketsalong their bottom edges, elongated upholstery attaching members ofU-secton disposed in said pockets and embracing the opposite side of thesaid edge portions of said base frame, the pockets being of a widthsubstantially exceeding the width of the attaching members providingslack. said slack providing folds in the walls of the pockets within theattaching members and around the said edge portion of the base frame. e

11. In a spring structure the combination of a base frame comprising aside member having an edge portion extending longitudinally of the sidemember, a spring structure disposed on said base frame, upholsterydisposed on said spring structure and having a skirt portion overlappinga side edge portion of the spring structure and overlapping said sidemember, said skirt having a pocket extending longitudinally of said sidemember, an upholstery attaching member of U- section disposed in saidpocket and clampingly embracing said edge portion of said side member,the pocket being of dimensions to provide slack, said slack providing afold in the `enclosure wall of the pocket within the attaching memberand around said edge portion of the side member,

v said pocket being closed to retainingly support the attaching memberagainst lateral displacement therefrom prior to assembly of theattaching member over the edge portion of the side member.k

AMERICO BAPTISTA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis :patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,839,822 Wolf Jan. 5, 19321,940,637 Stubnitz Dec. 19, 1933 2,252,970 v Gedris Aug. 19, 1941

